The Truth About Pore Size: What Science Actually Says
- SkinCoLAB
- Sep 29, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 30, 2025
We’ve all looked in the mirror and wondered, can I shrink my pores? Why do they look so big on some people (or certain parts of the face) and barely visible on others? And are the tricks and promises real?
Here’s what dermatologists and scientific studies reliably teach us about pore size. Its causes, what we can do, and what we can’t.
What Are Pores, Anyway?
Skin pores are the openings of hair follicles that connect to sebaceous (oil) and sweat glands. They allow oil (sebum), sweat, and dead skin cells to be excreted. They are essential, not cosmetic extras.
There are different types: oil (sebaceous) pores are more visible, especially on areas like the nose, cheeks, and forehead; sweat pores are much smaller and less visible.
What Determines Pore Size (What We Can’t Easily Change)
Genetics / Skin Type
Your genes set much of what’s possible. If your parents had more visible pores, especially oily skin or large sebaceous glands, you likely will too.
Sebum / Oil Production
More oil = pores that look larger. Oil can stretch the pore opening. Hormonal shifts (puberty, menstrual cycle, certain medical conditions) can increase sebum.
Collagen & Elastin / Skin Elasticity
Young, elastic skin holds pore walls more rigidly, which keeps openings tighter. As skin ages or suffers damage (e.g. from sun / UV), collagen and elastin degrade, and pores tend to sag or stretch, becoming more noticeable.
Sun Damage & Other Environmental Stressors
UV light breaks down collagen/elastin; pollution, smoking, etc. also contribute. Over time, skin structure weakens, so pores look larger.
Age
With age comes accumulation of sun damage, decrease in skin repair, slower cell turnover, and less collagen — all of which affect how pores look. Studies show the number of enlarged pores tends to increase with age in certain areas.
Clogging & Dead Skin / Poor Skin Hygiene
When pores get filled with oil, dead skin cells, dirt, or makeup, the contents can stretch the pore outward, making it visibly larger. Regular turnover (gentle cleansing, exfoliation) helps.
Common Misconceptions & Myths
Myth | Reality |
You can permanently change your pore size | No — genetics & structure restrict how much change is possible. You can improve the appearance. |
Pores “open” and “close” | Pores don’t have muscles. They can dilate (e.g. when skin is warm, after cleansing or sweating), or appear more open if clogged, but they aren’t like doors that close magically. |
Steam or hot water permanently “opens pores,” so you need to “close” them with cold | Steam or heat may temporarily soften what’s inside pores or dilate them slightly, helping with cleansing. Cold water might temporarily tighten the skin's appearance. But neither changes pore structure permanently. |
Sunscreen makes pores worse / clogs them | Actually, unprotected sun exposure worsens collagen damage, making pores look larger. Good sunscreen protects against that. Many sunscreens today are non-comedogenic. |
What You Can Do to Make Pores Look Smaller?
Even though you likely can’t shrink pores permanently, there are many well-supported ways to improve their appearance and prevent them from looking bigger.
Gentle cleansing, twice daily
Regular, appropriate exfoliation
Retinoids / Retinol
These increase cell turnover, help unclog pores, and promote collagen formation around pores. They can also reduce how noticeable pores are over time. SkinBetter Science AlphaRet line is wonderful and Alastin’s Renewal Retinol are great options.
Sun protection
Maintain hydration & skin barrier health
SkinCo LAB Treatments we recommend
VI Peels are a great option! Fully customizable to your skin type and can be done with other treatments.
Microneedling helps stimulate collagen around pores, thus improving the appearance of pore size. Patients rave about this treatment and it is a favorite among our providers. Ask Kendall Oberlien (medical aesthetician) next time you are in!
Can’t decide which one? Try our VI Peels + Microneedling Stack! Our most popular treatment this fall. Ready to book? reach out to info@skincolab.com or give us a call at 616.450.1562.
What the Science Says About Long-Term Change
A multiethnic study published in PMC showed that pore sizes vary more with ethnicity and genetics than with age, though age and environmental exposure still play a measurable role.
Another study on the number of enlarged pores found that these tend to increase with age, and correlate with wrinkle severity — reinforcing that skin structural support matters. Wrinkle relaxors can help! Book your treatment today!
As for interventions, the literature supports that visible improvements are possible with consistent use of actives (retinoids, acids), sun protection, and professional interventions. But none of the studies show a permanent “closing” of pores — just improved appearance.
Let’s Review: What to Expect and What’s Realistic
It’s completely normal and healthy to have visible pores. They perform important roles.
You likely can’t make your pores permanently smaller—size at the base (structural, genetic) is largely fixed.
But you can absolutely make them look less visible, especially by: keeping them clean, protecting your skin, using supporting ingredients, improving skin elasticity, and gently reducing buildup.
Be wary of “miracle” products or promises that seem to claim drastic permanent shrinkage.
Articles used in the blog post:
Flament F, Francois G, Qiu H, et al. Facial skin pores: a multiethnic study. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2015;8:85-93. Published 2015 Feb 16. doi:10.2147/CCID.S74401
Jung HJ, Ahn JY, Lee JI, et al. Analysis of the number of enlarged pores according to site, age, and sex. Skin Res Technol. 2018; 24: 367–370. https://doi.org/10.1111/srt.12438
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